May 10, 2008 Ship of Thieves! Stealing the Magic..AGAIN!!! Panama Canal FL to CA!!! Part 5

[EllaEnchanted]

How is the world do you get your DH to talk to you about packing? It will be the night before the cruise and my DH will still not have packed nor given one thoughts as to what he will bring. It drives me CRAZY!! I'm such a planner and he is a fly by the seat of his pants type of traveler. It is amazing we don't drive each other insane in the period of time before a trip! Me endlessly talking about the trip and he just nodding his head or shaking it and hoping that he is responding appropriately since he isn't listening to a word I'm saying! I'm not complaining...if we both were OCD we'd probably would go insane!
Lisa

Fortunately we both love Disney and DCL more than anything else in the world. So every weekend morning over coffee when we have time to catch up with each other, that's our favorite topic.

My DH John is a very independent man, he does his own laundry and I do mine, he packs his stuff and I do mine. It just works out well for us. The kids are grown and out of the house so it's just the two of us. He takes care of him and I take care of me and everything gets done and it's easy.

We're both so excited about our cruises that we talk and plan every detail well in advance. By the time we get on the ship, it's our aaahhhhh moment, we're here and we're ready to just kick back and enjoy.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

I am flying to Reno today to drive up to Lake Almanor to help my sister open up our house. We close it down usually in late October for the winter as there isn't any good skiing nearby these days since the closed the lifts at Lassen years ago.

I am a real native Southern Californian (born in Pasadena) so I only "visit" snow!!

Hope to be back by Tuesday afternoon but will try to at least read and keep up. Still haven't had time to write up the graduation saga.

You must have a lot of frequent flyer miles....

Have a great time at the lake with your sister. Patiently waiting for the graduation saga and pics.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Just finished posting a bunch of books on ebay that I came across when rearranging my bedroom last night. I have about 10 more to list, but am tired of the process. Then there are a few things I need to take pics of to list there as well. But it's nice to be getting rid of stuff!

Have to get to the store to buy more laundry detergent. Have to get caught up on laundry this week for our trip to Florida Saturday. Work sucks SO BAD lately that I'm almost counting the hours until this mini-vacation! It will only be 3 days away from the office, but I think that will hold me over until our November cruise and then after that, it will only be a few months until THIS CRUISE!!!! YIPPEE!

Hats off to you Holly for being such a busy little beaver. I have so much stuff around the house that I would love to sell on ebay, but just don't take the time to do the pics and the posting and the mailing. I figure I'll just have one huge yard sale before we pack up to move to Delaware in five years.

How exciting that you get to go to FL next weekend. What are you planning on doing there? Even though it's just a mini-vacation, it's great for a change of scenery and having some fun.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Hi Jackie, you asked last weekend to see pics of the 50lb. puppy....here they are.....



Where did your baby go? Don't know, no more baby now....

I hate it when they grow up!! Me too, but then they're trained and listen better and more fun to enjoy.

Glad to have you back, you were missing for a couple of days! This whole DGS Tom saga has been draining me, I'm so worried about him and completely perplexed about what to do to get through to him....see even after the kids leave, it's not over coz they bring you grandkids to worry about.

Karen

 

[EllaEnchanted]

So DH John just ran out to go to the auto parts store to buy some more toys for his truck...something about more lights and the recordable horn....he wants it to play the Disney horn like Angie and Dennis have. I'm enjoying the quiet and calmness in the house right now.

Yesterday was spent with both DGS's Tom and Kris and DS John and me and DH John all running around cleaning everything including all four turtle tanks and the dog. Now it's all done and everything looks nice.

DH John made some chillie and rice so we'll have that for dinner tonight.

I tried to book our car rental reservations for the trip to FL, nope...still gotta wait....their calendar only went up to April 08. At least I was able to do the Cocoa Beach hotel....it's a start.

 

[HollyTyler]

Hats off to you Holly for being such a busy little beaver. I have so much stuff around the house that I would love to sell on ebay, but just don't take the time to do the pics and the posting and the mailing. I figure I'll just have one huge yard sale before we pack up to move to Delaware in five years.

How exciting that you get to go to FL next weekend. What are you planning on doing there? Even though it's just a mini-vacation, it's great for a change of scenery and having some fun.

We'll be visiting some friends. Flying into Tampa and they'll pick us up. They were our tablemates on our Sept. '05 cruise, we hit it off (they have a daughter 3 yrs older than Tyler), we stayed in touch, we all met up in Orlando for a weekend last May, we cruised together again Sept. '06, and they're also on this cruise (but she's only posted a couple times: threebritts). Arriving late Saturday evening, Sunday is a BBQ/pool party at their house for their daughter's birthday (which reminds me I still have to buy her gift), Monday we're going to Sea World, Tuesday we're doing a 2-hour pirate cruise in Clearwater and then I think we get to relax at their house. I just desperately need to get away from work. Every day I walk out of there wanting to scream and pull all my hair out. I don't want that level of stress when I need to focus on my classes and studying. I look at job postings every day, hoping to find something, but part-time is hard to find and I need a job that's flexible with my school schedule changing each semester. But something's bound to turn up eventually.

 

[EllaEnchanted]

Yes, I've determined I can live without the verandah, but I'm not so sure I can live without the window......I have to have a lock on where I am and what time of day it is!

I can't live without my balcony...on our first cruise we had a navigator then upgraded to full open blacony on our second cruise and have had one ever since....this one will be our 6th cruise. I can't give it up....we spend a lot of time out there. We do coffee out there every morning and I'm even out there in the middle of the night, everytime I get up to use the bathroom...I go sit out there for a few minutes before going back to bed.

We've seen dolphins, whales, shooting stars, other ships, islands with lights and the moon...so many wonderful things to look at off the balcony. We enjoy it way too much.

My other obsession is getting my cabin room....I always get 5122 coz I book for the following year while onboard. We didn't get to do it for this one. When I booked with DU all cat 6's were sold out so they upgraded us to a 5. The only difference is that we'll probably be on deck 7 and not deck 5. I'd rather be on deck 5 because we're closer to the water, which I love. I'm probably the only person looking for a downgrade in February when more rooms open up. How silly is that!!!! But 5122 is like home for me, it's my room and I want it!!!!

DH John says I should just be happy that I got onboard at all. I say I'm so used to being port side aft that I can't even imagine if they put me starboard side forward. It'll take me the whole cruise to figure out where everything is because I'm not so good with directions and I'll be all confused.

 

[HollyTyler]

I can't live without my balcony...on our first cruise we had a navigator then upgraded to full open blacony on our second cruise and have had one ever since....this one will be our 6th cruise. I can't give it up....we spend a lot of time out there. We do coffee out there every morning and I'm even out there in the middle of the night, everytime I get up to use the bathroom...I go sit out there for a few minutes before going back to bed.

I do exactly the same thing! Each time I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, which is usually 3 times, I sit out outside for a bit and just enjoy the peaceful sound and smell. That's one of my favorite parts of a cruise. Not sure how I'll survive without that this cruise.

 

[HollyTyler]

Well, I think I'm off to pull suitcases down from the attic before I go pick Tyler up from his dad's. He always packs his own stuff for trips and he only has tomorrow to pack because Tuesday we have his tumbling class after work and then we're going to see "Go Diego Go" right after that, and Wednesday he leaves for his dad's until I pick him up Saturday morning on the way to the airport. Yikes! That means I have to finish laundry tonight so he can pack his stuff tomorrow! Time to be productive again! No rest for me this weekend!

 

[JLSE50]

I figure when we feel claustrophobic we can just go visit Karen or Noel in their suites don't you think?? Knock..knock..knock....I know it is 2am but we just wanted some fresh air in our PJs please!
Lisa

Suites? We know people with suites? Are there any tours planned? I would love to see them!! So would Bobbi.

We book Cat 11 so we can cruise more often. Once we got an upgrade to a secret porthole but that was our only window. Never had a balcony. Cannot miss what you never had, we always say. When we want to go out on our veranda, we go to deck 10!! and get a 360 degree view!! No window means we can sleep in on a day at sea and we have made use of that option a couple times!

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Interesting all this talk of airports . . .

I checked out with some phantom dates, and the date of my upcoming trip to a conference at DL in November . . .

Frontier Airlines has cheaper fares from our airport CAK, than any other airline into the area, including SW, and Continental (which are out of Cleveland). Surprisingly in contrast to what the experience is that you guys are listing, the cheapest fare is into SNA - more expensive to fly into LAX.

In November, I can get a $270 round trip to SNA from CAK.

Anyone have any experience with Frontier? They started flying out of our local airport about a year or two ago - two flights daily into their hub in Denver.

We flew Frontier once--Midway to Salt Lake City and back (both ways via Denver). Nice planes, no problems, pleasant attendants.
Bobbie would like Frontier
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

How is the world do you get your DH to talk to you about packing? It will be the night before the cruise and my DH will still not have packed nor given one thoughts as to what he will bring. It drives me CRAZY!! I'm such a planner and he is a fly by the seat of his pants type of traveler. It is amazing we don't drive each other insane in the period of time before a trip! Me endlessly talking about the trip and he just nodding his head or shaking it and hoping that he is responding appropriately since he isn't listening to a word I'm saying! I'm not complaining...if we both were OCD we'd probably would go insane!
Lisa

Yup, you would.
DH packs the night before. We live in a small condo so I get out suitcases the day before. In the weeks and months before I make LISTS!! in my organizer so that if I think of something during the day I can check the list and see if I remembered it.

The night before departure DH will lay out his clothing. I pack his stuff and mine as I go along using my list and making sure I put in my shirts that match the ones he has laid out.

It works for us,
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Good afternoon.



Now, my John is more like your husband Lisa, though I think he thinks he is interested! I do all the packing, though he does come along and say he has too much stuff. His clothes etc. usually fills under half a suitcase. Mine and the toiletries fill the rest! He can't understand my OCPD but does admit once we are away on holiday that he benefits!

OCPD I love it!!

We have friends who are missionaries and they call it a "spiritual gift." I told them it is not on the lists in the Bible. They said it is too, the children of Israel had to pack up and move out whenever the cloud of God lifted from the tabernacle.
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

So DH John just ran out to go to the auto parts store to buy some more toys for his truck...something about more lights and the recordable horn....he wants it to play the Disney horn like Angie and Dennis have. I'm enjoying the quiet and calmness in the house right now.

Yesterday was spent with both DGS's Tom and Kris and DS John and me and DH John all running around cleaning everything including all four turtle tanks and the dog. Now it's all done and everything looks nice.

DH John made some chillie and rice so we'll have that for dinner tonight.

I tried to book our car rental reservations for the trip to FL, nope...still gotta wait....their calendar only went up to April 08. At least I was able to do the Cocoa Beach hotel....it's a start.

We have only stayed at the Radisson. Any suggestions on other hotels?
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

We'll be visiting some friends. Flying into Tampa and they'll pick us up. They were our tablemates on our Sept. '05 cruise, we hit it off (they have a daughter 3 yrs older than Tyler), we stayed in touch, we all met up in Orlando for a weekend last May, we cruised together again Sept. '06, and they're also on this cruise (but she's only posted a couple times: threebritts). Arriving late Saturday evening, Sunday is a BBQ/pool party at their house for their daughter's birthday (which reminds me I still have to buy her gift), Monday we're going to Sea World, Tuesday we're doing a 2-hour pirate cruise in Clearwater and then I think we get to relax at their house. I just desperately need to get away from work. Every day I walk out of there wanting to scream and pull all my hair out. I don't want that level of stress when I need to focus on my classes and studying. I look at job postings every day, hoping to find something, but part-time is hard to find and I need a job that's flexible with my school schedule changing each semester. But something's bound to turn up eventually.

You could wrap up those last 10 books and then you would not have to post them on e-bay
....well.....Bobbi thought it was a good idea......

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

I wonder if Bobbi would like to travel around the country visiting the DIS Thread members before the Panama Canal Cruise.

Each host or hostess could take a few photos of him exploring sites of interest in each locale before arranging transportation for him to another host or hostess.

The photos could be added to a TRIP REPORT thread (except that I have no idea how to post pictures so someone would have to help me with that part.)

I would be glad to give him a tour of Indianapolis if he would like to visit.
Jan

 

[Brooklyn]

I am sorry but I know I missed a post of someone who wanted to join me on the May 12th Fish Mail gift. I have a very sick 2 year old at home and now I can't seem to find that post.

Can you please PM me so we can get in touch?

Sorry again, but this grumpy baby is taking everything out of me.

 

[nskjerven]

I wonder if Bobbi would like to travel around the country visiting the DIS Thread members before the Panama Canal Cruise.

Each host or hostess could take a few photos of him exploring sites of interest in each locale before arranging transportation for him to another host or hostess.

The photos could be added to a TRIP REPORT thread (except that I have no idea how to post pictures so someone would have to help me with that part.)

I would be glad to give him a tour of Indianapolis if he would like to visit.
Jan

Oh yeah, Bobby is invited to my neck of the woods in California too. He would love to see ebay (yes, I'd take him there for a picture, since we all love it so much) and, hmmm, intel, and perhaps McDonalds, okay that's not interesting is it? Just kidding. I would really like to have him for a visit the kids would like taking him out for some pictures and it would give the kids in the group a good way to bond thru the traveling banana show...John are you up for sending him out?

I am sorry but I know I missed a post of someone who wanted to join me on the May 12th Fish Mail gift. I have a very sick 2 year old at home and now I can't seem to find that post.

Can you please PM me so we can get in touch?

Sorry again, but this grumpy baby is taking everything out of me.

Sorry to hear the baby is sick, that's just no fun especially when they are so little and can't explain what the problem is.

I think Lisa, Calmom is the person to PM. She will add you to the list for that day and then you can chat about what you want to do.

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

Hi Everyone--
I'm sitting in the airport in Honolulu, first time online in a week. I've been wondering what's been going on on our thread--I think I'm about 100 pages behind at this point but sooner or later I'll get caught up!

My flight has been delayed so I'll have to spend the night in LA tonight and fly home to AZ tomorrow.

My trip was great! I love Hawaii and can't wait to go back. I took underwater pix for the first time and they turned out pretty good; I'll post some in a few days. The NCL ship itself was OK, actually it was fine, but the food in the dining rooms was horrible! And the service was slow, slow, slow. Ick! The buffets were OK, they were like any cafeteria food so it did the job of keeping the tummy full but it was NOT like Disney. We didn't try any of the "extra cost" restaurants so I can't comment there. The staff of the ship were all very friendly (more than I was expecting). A major part of the ship had no AC the whole cruise--fortunately not our section! There were a LOT of very angry people as you can imagine. And as far as I know, it wasn't fixed when we disembarked today so some people are in for a very unplesant surprise when they board today!

All in all I had a great time--I'll post more later but just wanted to say "hi" and I've missed everyone.

Aloha!

 

[LiserAnn]

I LOVED not having a window. It was the first time in my life i have slept so good. My husband could not believe it. That could also be due to the fact that my DM had our daughters in her stateroom! We will probably not be that lucky on this cruise though. The prices are much higher on this one then the trans atlantic.

I loved my Cat 11 on my first cruise (my little 'cave') and I also slept the best I have in years. I also like the floor plan of the inside cabins better...'living room' first and 'bedroom' in the back. It avoids that one way street at the foot of the bed. I'll even have a 'do not upgrade' note put on my reservation for this cruise!

Well, based upon both of your comments, we may have to give it a try sometime then...although I'll try it on a 7 day just to be sure!